To increase the awareness of suicide rates that skyrocketed over the 21st century in United States, National Alliance on Mental Illness established Suicide Prevention Month in September 2003 for a drastic change.

Background

Suicide Prevention Month was established by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to serve as an open door for people who are suffering from mental illness to reach out on. Multitudes of organizations are created to connect with these individuals to discuss their suffering and take action to reduce the decision to self-harm. These organizations are created to believe that there is still hope for the victims to change their mentality and see the light they can reach in order to end or at least decrease the pain they are going through.

Additionally, Suicide Prevention Month can be a key source to encourage multiple people to help those who needs aid, where they can connect with each other and fight against suicide. In general, this specific holiday can open great changes for the world because it promotes awareness, encourages victims to talk about what is hurting them, rather than keeping all of those emotions inside, and to prevent dangerous decision making. 

People who have shared their struggles during Suicide Prevention Month:

“I want to share this with you because life is complicated, hard and often, a constant struggle. But that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone”, Mike Liguori, a mentally ill survivor. This shows that people can gather during Suicide Prevention Month to talk about their mental health and give suggestions to other individuals that needs help. Hence, this would lead them to know they’re not alone and there are always people that can reach out to them.

“Don’t be afraid to talk about it… Speak up. Doesn’t matter if you know someone who is considering it, or if you are the person considering it. Go to everybody”, Ashley Shoemaker, a mentally ill survivor. This suggests that anyone can talk about their feelings when they feel like they are at their lowest, rather than keeping it inside their head where depressive episodes and suicidal thoughts increase. Of course, everyone most likely does this through joining organizations or events during Suicide Prevention Month, especially on the week where the movement starts.

For instance, individuals across the nation would meet, share their experiences, and the struggles they’re currently facing because NAMI can obtain information to suggest treatments to those who needs aid and spread awareness on how to prevent suicide attempts, according to National Today.

Personal feelings can be talked about everywhere. Everyone can reach out to multitudes of organizations or even a friend to share their pain with them.

Remember, Suicide Prevention Month can be an opportunity for people who wants to talk about their mental problems and even be encouraged to discuss about it to certain people that can prevent the result of suicide. Also, this can be the chance to help people who have been keeping their darkest secrets inside them and give hope that the world still has something prepared for them in the future. 

So, feel free to participate on events or other ways to open the door out of a person’s darkest days during Suicide Prevention Month.

Ways to reach out when you or someone is experiencing a mental health crisis:

• Call or text “988” (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
• Call 1 (800) 662-4357 (National Substance Use and Disorder Issues Referral and Treatment